The huzzy and little ****

Sorry if I shouldn't cuss. Thats just what i call them most of the time. I haven't gave them official names and don't know if I will. But that doesn't mean i don't love them. I try my best to make them happy. I had a few questions. I've had them a few weeks and the dark one is so amazing. He jumps out on my hand when i open the door. Loves wrestling with my hand and acts just like a dog. He's happiest when I'm letting him run loose in the room. He'll go sniff around a few secs then scurry back to me for safety. N repeat. The white little huzzy. Is so stuck up. She'll groom me. Won't run from my hand and likes being pet. If u try to pick her up she will grab a cage bar or whatever she has n reach and if there is nothing, she will just go limp to be stubborn. So I just leave her be. She just prefers to stay in her corner with her back turned to me. The only enjoyment she seems to get is when I open the door. She loves to run to the Corner of the cage closest to the door and smell the sudden burst of wind from the rest of the house. Sometimes ill open and shut it back and forth for her. But not too much I dont wanna burn her out on the one thing that she likes. Anyway is this normal behavior? I've had them a few weeks. Do some rats just never come around? I've found if i put a hiding box on top of the cage sometimes she will crawl out and up n go inside. But thats been just a few times. Progress im hoping. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just getting spoiled by the little **** being so friendly and mischievous and i feel bad that the huzzy gets left out during play time but she seems to prefer her corner. Any tips or suggestions?

Might just still be skittish, do they have a lot of enrichment items to help encourage them to explore and play? Things like toys, hides, treats stashed in corners? Does he stay in the corner just when you're approaching him or all day?


Also it looks like that rat is giving you the stink eye, I think he's eyeing you for a treat!

For one, that cage looks really small. Get them a larger cage, and put plenty of places to hide and sleep, plus lots of toys, and maybe a wheel (make sure it's at least 12 inches across, and solid). Second, boy and girl? If one isn't fixed, you're gonna have babies. If you don't already. Third, some rats are just shy or reserved. How old are they?

Also, food mixes with seeds and such, aren't good for them. They pick out the good stuff, and tend to leave the other stuff in the bowl. A good lab block like oxbow is good for them.

Just bought a critter nation. Both are females. Also ordered the oxbow feed

New toys and home

Awwww sweet! They look like they are going to be very spoiled!

I want to get a critter nation so bad! I'm watching for it to go on sale, or to find one on Craigslist.

Nice cage !
How are the ratties liking it?

I would suggest a space pod, some large hammocks hung lower, some tubes, boxes for chewing etc, and a few litter boxes

They love it. Before they were never content in the cage when i was home and ibwould let them run free and lately let them sleep in the top drawer through the night and put them up before work. That made them happy. But for the moment they couldnt care less about coming out or going to their drawer.